Umbrella holder for vehicles



Dec. 27, 1932. w. BEEHLER UMBRELLA HOLDER FOR VEHICLES Filed Jan. 29,1930 2 Sheets-Sheet v INVENTOR` Dec. 27, 1932.

W. BEEHLER l UMBRELLA HOLDER FOR VEHICLES Filed Jan. 29, 1930 2.Sheets-Shee Rw. U M

ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES WILLIAM: BEE-HLER, 0FBLTIMIORE, MARYLAND UMBRE'L-LA HOLDER FOR VEHICLES Application filedJanuary 29, 1930. Serial No. 424,240.

My invention relates to umbrellas and holders or cases for umbrellas,adapted to be placed, or definitely placed and secured in preferred andadvantageous locations in vehicles, especially passenger motor cars.

The principal objects are to provide a case or holder Which can belocated in a desired position in the vehicle, and especially over theWindshield or on the front of a. seat riser, Where the holder Will beout of the Way; to provide in the holder supporting means of suchcharacter that the umbrella can be easily and quickly inserted andremoved; to provide such holding meansv or clips which will not injurethe. umbrella and Will support it in a position in Which there is nopossibility of chafing the umbrella cover fabric; to provide a case orcover which preferably entirely encloses the umbrella except at theends, Where the case is open for ventilation; to provide a case ofproper material for protection of the umbrella and the vehicleupholstery and which conforms to or is harmonious With the appearance ofthe upholstery and body design; and to provide a case including a coverportion which is easily and quicklyr operated, gives a full opening foreasy access to the umbrella, and is positively retained in closedposition.

Heretofore, the carrying of an umbrella in a motor car has beeninconvenient and annoying, since an umbrella loosely placed in a car inany position is liable to fall on the floor, is in the way of passengersWhile in the car or in entering orleaving, and is subject to injury bybeing stepped on or by rubhing against parts of the car or otherobjects. Various holders have been made or proposed, these usuallybeingin the form of boxes of square or tubular section, to be located onor in place of a robe rail or in some cases on a seat riser; but th-eseholders are on account of their Vbor: formk almost necessarily made ofmetal; they are unduly large and do not conform or harmonize in materialor shape with the interior finish of the vehicle. i satisfactory holderfor the present purmust be of attractive appearance, harmonious with thecar finish or upholstery, must fully protect the umbrella and also protect the ear and occupants from the umbrella When Wet; must'be adaptedfor preferred locations in the vehicle andmust be reason-` ably simpleand inexpensive. These requirements are satisfactorily met, andtheobjects above stated are realized by the cases or holders of preferredforms illustrated in the accompanying drawings. After considering theseexamples, as described in detail, skilled persons will understand thatmanyvariations may be made, andI contemplate the employment of anystructures that are Within the scope of the appended claims. l

Fig. l is a vertical, longitudinal section of the front portion of amotor car body With an .umbrella and holder embodying the invention'inone form located on a frame or n body strip over the windshield.

v Fig. 2 is a side eleva-tionv of the case in closed condition.

Fig. 8 is a sectionat 3 3, Fig. 2.

4 is a front elevation With lthe case or case cover open.

Fig. 5 is a section at 5 5, Fig. il, enlarged.

Fig. 6 :s a section at (ia-6, Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a section at 'i1-7, Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an elevation of a modified clip or iolding device. i

Fig. 9 is a section at 9 9, Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a seat,`Which 80 may be either the frontor rear seat of a motor vehicle, With the holder located on the frontriser thereof.

Fig. 11 shovvs a modified construction in Which the case or covermaterial and other g5 devices constituting the holder are applied to astructural part of the motor vehicle, such as a frame or body strip.

Fig. 12 shows the same structure orarrangement in a case located abovethe vWind- 90 shield.

In the form shown in Figs. l to 7, the holder is made as an operativeunit, distinct from the structure of the vehicle and adapted formounting therein in a preferred lo- 95 cation, as over the Windshield(Fig. l) or kon a seat riser (Fig. l0). The holder includes a base orbody 20 which may be a strip of vWood of moderate thickness. The case orcover material 21 may be secured to 100 the body strip in various ways.Preferably, the material is wrapped about the body strip to completelyenclose it, and secured as by brads 22, which are at the back of thebody strip and not visible when the case is in operative position. rllheportion of the cover material extending from the upper edge of the bodystrip (in the position of Fig. l) constitutes a cover to enclose theentire umbrella and also a closure piece or flap which may easily bemanipulated to give full access to the interior of the holder and whichwhen in closed position is securely retained in place with its free edgeclosely and smoothly lit-- ting against the base strip, as will appear.

Y` 'The cover' material may be practically any flexible sheet materialwhich is harmonious With the upholstery of the automobile, such asleather, Vimitation leather, velour or other fabric; and it may, whendesired, beef substantially water-proof material or may include a sheetof water-proof material such rubberized fabric. For the sake ofsimplicity, the cover material is illustrated as consisting of asinglesheet.

In a preferred construction, the end edges of the cover, or especiallythe closure portion, are supported and re-enforced by thin strips 23 ofspring metal located within hems 24 at the ends of the cover, so thatthe springs are entirely concealed. One end of each spring is secured tothe bas-e strip, as by nailing at 25, Fig. 4. In some cases, thesespring strips may be normally nearly straight or flat so that they tendto hold the closure flap in open position. As a variation, they may benormally curved and in such case will tend to retain or move the closureflap yto closed position. To retain the free edge of the closure stripin smooth condition and cause it to lie close against the base stripwhen closed, and also to assist in the manipulation of the closure Hap,preferably in some cases a metal rod 26 is inserted in a hem 2'? at thefree edge of the cover flap. When both the Aend springs and rod areprovided, the free ends of the springs are preferably vconnected to therod near its ends, as by forming the spring ends with loops 27surrounding the rod (Figs. 3 and lli). Either the springs orthe rod maybe omitted in some cases.

Fastening means for the cover ilap are provided, preferably inconnection with the springs or rod. Thus when the rod is used, its endsprojecting beyond the cover material are provided with latch nobs 28secured by press fit, or by threading and screwing lthem upon the rod.At their inward ends, the lrnobs have annular notches 29 to cooperatewith closure spring clips 30. These closure vcl-ipsconsist of pieces offiat spring metal of substantial thickness, including base portions 31secured to the base strip. Speciiicaflfly, as shown, the bases of theclips are placed against the back of the base strip and secured byrivets 32. The base portions of the clips are as shown located inchannels or mortises in the back of the base strip, but this is notessential. Each clip also includes spring arms or jaws 33 produced byslotting the strip as at 34. The arms are bent at a right angle to thebase portion of the clip and the slot extends through ythe portions 33and through the bend or angle and for a substantial distance through thebase portion of the clip,thus providing ample flexibility 0r springaction ofthe clip arms or aws. Near the ends, the inner faces of thejaws are provided with rounded notches 35 and the ends of the jaws arerounded olf at 36 so that the cover flap may easily be secured in theyclips by engaging the annular channels'29 of the closure knobs with thejaws and pressing them inward whereupon the notches snap into engagementwith the jaws and the cover is thereupon held firmly in closed kpositionwith its free edge resting snugly againstrthe base strip substantiallyat the bottom thereof. The cover may easily be released by pulling theknobs outward, and thereupon if thesprings 23 are normally.approximately straight'or flat, the cover will spring to partially orfully open position, Fig. 4. When closed. the rod 26 keeps the coveredge straight and smooth, which is impracticable f Aretaining theumbrella 40 detachably in position. As shown, these devices consist ofspring clips 41 which may be substantially similar to the closure clips31, except that as shown the base i'vortions 42 are shorter. They aresecured to the outer face of the base strip 20 as by rivets 43. Theslots 44 in the umbrella clips extend through a part of the base andthrough the angularly bent poi` tion of the clip as in the case of theclosure clips and provide rample flexibility or spring action. Thenotches 45 Ain the inner edges of the clip jaws 45 near 'the endsthereof are dimensioned to iit the umbrella rod 47. The umbrella clipsare so positioned on the base strip that when the umbrella is put inplace as shown in Fig. 4, one of the clips engages the rod between theend of the handle 48 and the tips 49 of ribs 50; and for use with such aclip these rib tips are spaced somewhat away from the end of the handle,substantially shown in Fig. 8. The other clip is positioned to engagethe umbrella rod tip; and in order to provide an lumbrella ofsubstantial size, which will still be completely enclosed in a case oflength which can be accommodated in a desired position in theVautomobile, the umbrella rod tip 51 is prefer ably made shortmuchshorter v than in standard umbrellas.

'Vhen the umbrella is placed in the clips, it is firmly held, secureagainst accidental displacement, and in such manner that the umbrellacover cannot chate against any object. Then the case closure flap isclosed and secured, the umbrella is entirely covered, concealed andenclosed, (except at the ends). Preferably, the case ends are open topermit ventilation, or circulation of air so that the umbrella willquickly dry when put away wet and with a minimumrisk ot mildewing.Passengers and their clothing are entirely protected from injury orinconvenience by contact with the umbrella.

The complete holder may be secured by screws or bolts in a desiredlocation such as to a transverse vertical portion 60 of the automobilebo'dy or body frame, above the windshield, Fig. 1, or to the front -orriser of the seat as in Fig. 10. In either location, the holder may bepositioned so that in opening it, the closure flap will move either upor down. Thus, in Fig. 1, the holder is placed so that the tree edge ofthe closure iap when closed is downward; otherwise it may be arrangedwith this edge -of the lap upward as in Figs. 10 or 12. When the closureflap is moved upward to close it, there is provided Y an unbrokenstretch of cover material at the bottom and below the umbrella, whichprevents any leakage when the case is of waterproof material. Otherwise,when the flap closes downward, although the edge of the flap lies closeto the base strip, there is at this point a slight crevice which willpermit drainage of water it the umbrella is very wet; and in eithercase, there is some ventilation afforded by a slight crack or creviceusually existing between the free edge of the flap and the base strip.

Figs. 11 and 12 show modifications in which the case is made as apracticallyintegral part of the car body. Thus, in Fig. 11, the casematerial instead of being applied to an independent base strip as inFigs. 1 to 7, is applied to a strip which in this instance is a frontpiece or board forming a part ot the seat structure, or a riser orn theseat. The holder cover material 21a may be wrapper about the strip 70 orother vise secured to it and the closure and umbrella holding clips arealso secured to the strip, substantially as in the case of the separatebase strip.

Fig. 12 shows that the cover material may be applied to a strip or bar7l which is a transverse trame or body strip at the top or' the body ator near the windshield.

Figs. 8 and 9 show a modification in which a dierent type of clip 7 5 isprovided for the Vdirection ot the woot.

The rod also keeps the cover edge straight and smooth, and the springs`and rod together tend to keep the entire Vcover in apprornmatelysmoothly stretched condition, permitting however acertain amount ofbending.

of the cover material so that it does not present a stift', iniiexibleappearance similar to that of a metal box, but on the contrary appearsand is actually substantially soft and flexible, in conformity `,withthe character of Vthe upholstered surfaces of the car body.

ln other words, the entire case when closed is conformable in appearanceand style to the finish of the car interior and is an attractiveaccessory or fitting, even in expensively upholstered vehicles whileatpthe same' time, the holder is of such simple construction that it canbe made at a cost appropriate to automobiles o low price ranges.

In some cases, the edge supporting or reentorcing rod 26 may be omitted,and in such instances the cooperating closure fastening devices at endsof the closure flap and base respectively may be arranged to properlytension and stretch the tree edgek of the flap when in closed position,preventing bulging or gaping of theedge. Y Y

ln some cases, also, additional spring strips such as 23 may be kplacedin intermediate positions between the ends of the closure iiap toadditionally support and maintain the cover material in smoothcondition. In most cases, the cover material will consist of or inclucea woven fabric, and in fabrics avail able for the present purpose, theweave is i such thatit is practically free from stretching when pulledin the direction ot' the warp, but s etches materially when pulled inthe The fabric covers are therefore cut so that Vthe warp runs lengthWise of the case, preventing longitudinal stretching, and there-entorcing springs and edge rod, or both ot them, take up thetransverse strain and-prevent stretching of the material transversely orin the direction ot the woot. lt the fabric is not arranged' in thisway, objectionable stretching willkoccur even when supported orre-enforced bv lspring strips or edge rod, or both. u

ln some cases, holding clips 41 or equivalent devices 'for definitelysupporting` the umbrella within the. case be omitted, and lin suchinstances, the closure flap may be so shaped and dimensioned as toproperly engage and retain the rolled umbrella when the flap is closed.This will permit insertion or removal of the umbrella endwise intoeither end of the case Without necessarily opening the closure flap.When the internal umbrella supporting devices are omitted, the endspring strips 23 and intermediate spring strips which may be provided inaddition (as mentioned above) may be of such lengths as to properlyconform the closure flap to the umbrella at different points of itslength, and these spring strips will also preferably be initially bent,tending to retain the closure flap in closed position and in snugengagement with the umbrella, and preventing the umbrella from fallingfrom the case, if for example, the closure fastenings are accidentallydisconnected.

vlVhen an edge re-enforcing or supporting rod such as 25 is omitted.additional fastening devices may be placed at the edge of the closureflap and on the base respectively in intermediate lengthwise positions,to retain the edge of the flap in straight form and close engagementwith the base. Such additional fastening devices on the cover Hap may beassociated With or connected to ends of the intermediate spring strips,when such strips are provided.

l. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of iexi ble sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base and means for detachably securing the free edge ofthe cover in closed position against the base.

2. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, spring clips on thebase adapted to detachably9engage portions of an umbrella, a cover offlexible sheet material secured to the base and adapted to enclose andconceal an umbrella supported on the base and means for detachablysecuring the free edge of the cover in closed position against the base.

3. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base, and quickly operable fasteners at opposite endsof the base and free edge of the cover respectively for detachablysecuring the cover` in closed position.

4. An umbrella case or holder comprising a. base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base and means for detachably securing the free edge ofthe cover in closed position against the base, and flat spring strips atend edges of the cover and tending to definitely support the cover endsin open loop form.

5. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base and means for detachably securing the free edge ofthe cover in clos-ed position against the base, and a rod secured at thefree edge of the cover.

.6. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base and means for detachably securing the free edge ofthe cover in closed position against the base, and flat spring strips atend edges of the cover and tending to deinitely support the cove-r endsin open loop form, and a stiffening and supporting rod at the free edgeof the cover.

' 7. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on i the base and means for detachably securing the free edgeof the cover in closed position against the base, and flat spring stripsat end edges of the cover and tending to definitely support the coverends in open loop form, and a stiifening and supporting rod at the freeedge of the cover, each spring having one end connected to the base, andthe rod being connected near its ends to the other ends of the springs.

8. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of iiexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base, closure spring clips on the base near its ends`and cooperating fastening devices lat the free edge of the cover at theends thereof.

9. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base, closure clips on the base at the ends thereof, arod secured along the free edge of the cover, and closure fasteners onthe rod ends to cooperate with the closure clips.

l0. An umbrella. case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base, closure spring clips on the base near its ends,spring strips located along the end edges of the cover and each havingone end connected to the base, a rod secured along the free edge of thecover and connected near its ends to the free ends of the springs, and

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closure fastening devices on the ends of the rod to cooperate with theclosure clips.

11. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexiblesheet materialsecured to the base and acapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base, a rod located along the free edge of the cover,slotted jaw spring clips at the fends of the base, and closure memberson the ends of the rod having annular channels to cooperate with theclip jaws.

12. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base, means thereon fordetachably supporting an umbrella, a cover of flexible sheet materialsecured to the base and adapted to enclose and conceal an umbrellasupported on the base, a rod located along the free edge. of the cover,slotted jaw spring clips at the ends of the base, and grips on the endsof the rod having annular channels to cooperate with the clip jaws, thespring clip jaws being bent angularly and the slots extending throughthe angle portions to provide ample spring action.

13. An umbrella holder for purposes set forth, comprising a supportingbase and a closure Vldap of iexible sheet material dimensioned toenclose and retain an umbrella, the closure flap having a plurality oftransversely arranged support and re-enforcing strips of springmaterial.

14. An umbrella holder for purposes set forth, comprising a supportingbase and a closure flap of flexible sheet material dimensioned toenclose and retain an umbrella, the closure flap having at'its end edgesre-en forcing and supporting strips of spring material maintaining theends of the closure in substantially loop form when closed.

15. An umbrella holder for purposes set forth, comprising a supportingbase and a closure Bap of flexible sheet material dimensioned to encloseand retain an umbrella, the closure flap having a plurality oftransversely arranged supporting and re-enforcing strips of springmaterial, the springV strips being initially bowed and tending to retainthe closure ap in closed position and in engagement with the umbrella.

16. An umbrella holder for purposes set forth, comprising a supportingbase and a closure flap of flexible sheet material dimensioned toenclose and retain an umbrella, the closure liap having at its free edgea substantially stiff re-enforcing member.

17. An umbrella holder for purposes set forth, comprising a closure flapof flexible sheet material having at its free edge a substantiallystift' re-enforcing strip, the said reenforcing strip having near itsends closure fastening devices, and means at the other edge of theclosure flap cooperating with the strip to support and enclose anumbrella.

18. An umbrella case or holder comprising a base having spring clipmeans mounted thereon, a cover of flexible sheet material secured to thebase, a rod carried by the free edge of the cover,said spring clip meansserving to detachably support the umbrella on the base and to cooperatewith the rod and cover umbrella.

WILLIAM BEEHLER.

